Driver strikes hitchhiker standing in traffic

Police: Woman was in possession of crack pipe

Published On: Jan 08 2013 03:43:05 PM CST

MADISON, Wis. -

Madison police said a man driving home from church Sunday night struck a woman who was hitchhiking in the road.

The 44-year-old Madison man was driving home from church about 8:35 p.m. when a woman suddenly appeared in front on his car in the 4900 block of Commercial Avenue, according to a Madison Police Department incident report.

Police said the driver couldn't stop and struck the 30-year-old Madison woman, who suffered a broken arm, a possible broken leg and numerous bumps and bruises.

A responding officer was well acquainted with the injured woman, who has been the subject of past citizen complaints about standing in traffic.

Madison police said the woman has apparently made a habit of standing in traffic in order to flag down cars and try to get a ride somewhere, but this time, a driver didn't see her before it was too late to avoid striking her.

The woman was taken to a hospital.

She told an officer she was, in fact, in the roadway trying to stop a car so she could get to where she was staying, police said.

Police said the woman was cited for hitchhiking in the roadway and for possessing a crack pipe.

The driver wasn't cited in the incident.

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